Sign



Patented Oct. 5, 1954 UNITED STATES PATENT GFFICE SIGN Ollie W. Phillips, Chicago, Ill.

Application September 15, 1949, Serial No. 115,861

1 Claim. 1

This invention relates generally to signs, and more particularly to an improved three-dimensional sign which is especially suited for use as a price tag.

Although it is particularly useful as a price tag, the article of this invention, when made in larger sizes, may also be used as a name plate of the type used on oiiice desks or any other type of sign, depending on the indicia applied.

One object of this invention is to provide an attractive, durable, and inexpensive price tag, sign or name plate which may be employed in a variety of different ways to display indicia at the optimum viewing angle.

Another object is to provide a sign which is constructed so that it may be readily attached to shelves or bin divider members without the need for fasteners.

A further object is to provide an article in which the indicia are protected by a transparent covering of plastic or the like and in which the indicia may be readily changed as desired to indicate other prices, names, etc.

Another object is to provide an article whose components may be packed compactly for storage or shipment, being essentially flat, and yet be readily assembled into a three-dimensional sign.

Other and additional objects and advantages of this invention will, of course, present themselves to those familiar with the art on reading the following specification and claim in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

Fig. l is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of price tag constructed according to this invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the inner sheet or core element shown before assembly;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view, partially in section, showing the manner in which the price tag may be supported on a vertical member such as a partition dividing bins;

Fig. 4 is a perspective view, partially in section, showing the price tag supported on a horizontal member such as a shelf;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modied ernbodiment showing the method of assembly;

Fig. 6 is a vertical section of the embodiment shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. '7 is a perspective view of another modied embodiment; and

Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the transparent plastic sheath element or covering of the preferred embodiment prior to assembly.

A fundamental concept of this invention is to construct the sign of a piece of relatively heavy sheet material scored for folding into equilateral panels, and a second piece of transparent plastic which is pre-bent with its sides in overlapping relationship. The scored piece is folded to have a triangular cross section and the transparent sheet is slipped thereon to hold the scored sheet securely in its folded form, the nished article having the shape of a triangular prism, and the indicia being on one of the sides.

The preferred form of price tag IIJ shown in Figs. 1 to 4 is formed of a sheet of heavy cardboard or bristol board II and a sheet of transparent plastic material I2. The cardboard sheet II is scored along parallel lines I3, as shown in Fig. 2, and has the price indicia imprinted directly thereon `in the space between the score lines I3. The covering sheet I2 of transparent plastic is formed by heating a strip along parallel lengthwise lines and folding the edges I4 inwardly to the position shown in Fig. 8. When the plastic cools, its resiliency returns and it remains in the folded position. Segments equal in length to the width of the sheet II are then cut from the folded plastic strip to form the outer sheets I2.

To assemble the sign, the cardboard sheet II is folded along the score lines I3 to have a prism shape. The edges I4 of the transparent sheet I2 are then separated and it is slipped over the inner sheet II. The price tag I0 is now complete and appears as shown in Fig. 1.

Since the inner sheet II was originally flat, its two side portions I5 tend to spring outwardly when it is folded. The edges I4 of the transparent sheet I2, however, tend to spring inwardly. Because of this, a very rigid construction results in which the two layers press tightly together and are in contact over their entire surfaces, the paper being fully enclosed in plastic so that it is protected against dirt and wear.

The thicknesses of the two sheets are such that the inward force exerted by the transparent sheet I2 exceeds the outward force of the inner sheet II so that the marginal edges are pressed tightly together' forming a neat juncture. Because of this greater inward force, the price tag I0 may be readily mounted either on a vertical element I6 or on a horizontal shelf II, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, respectively, simply by spreading the sides I5 and slipping them over the element I6 or I'I. As shown in the drawing, the indicia bearing surface I8 is supported at a convenient viewing angle regardless of whether the supporting element I6 or I1 is vertical or hori-A zontal. This angle may be adjusted to any one of three different positions by simply pushing the tag 9 to the desired position, for the sign IG will remain stationary with either edge adjacent to the side of the supporting element or with the middle portion I8 perpendicular to the element.

It will be appreciated that the same transparent element I2 may be used with diiferent inner sheets II to change the price or'indicia or that the inner sheets may each have 'a different price printed on the reverse side from that on the front, being merely folded in the opposite direction to exhibit a different price. Furthermore, the side portions I5 Ymay be imprinted with indicia to form a twoor threesided sign. By utilizingall of the spaces available on a single sheet II, it is possible lto ldisplay any one of six different prices,l depending on how the sheet is folded and which side is forward.

ri'he modified embodiment Ia shown in Figs. 5 and G demonstrates a slightly diierent form of the invention in which the indicia is printed on a removable insert 2t which is slipped in place between the inner sheet IIa and the transparent sheet Ita. Although a name plate is illustrated, the same principle may be applied to price tags and is particularly useful Where frequent price changes are expected. When desired, the price tag inserts may be made in severalI sections so that the numerals are separate one from another, thus increasing the number of price combinations which may be made up from a limited set of insert pieces.

The modified form ila is also different in that it is assembled with the juncture line between the edge portions I5a at the forward lower corner instead 4of at the rear. This arrangement gives more rigidity, but the device cannot be used as a clip to attach it to a supporting element as can the preferredv embodiment IQ.

A further diierence in the modied embodiment Illa is that the transparent sheet IZa is narrower. As shown in Fig. 6, the edge portions ida project only slightly around the corners of the inner sheet IIa rather than covering all of the rear and bottom surfaces.

In Fig. 7 another embodiment Ib is illustrated which is intended primarily for use as a l price tag. The only diilerence between this embodiment and the preferred form is that the inner sheet lib is longer and is lscored at three lines instead of twice. Thus the inner sheet Hb is folded with two side portions 2lV and 22 overlapping each other. This arrangement gives extra strength. It will be appreciated that the indicia could be imprinted on a removable insert in this form in the same manner as in the embodiment Ia, if desired, or that the transparent sheet need not completely cover the sides i511.

However, a particular advantage results when the inner sheet IIb is printed directly with price indicia, each side of the sheet having two price indicia of each of two different prices printed thereon on the four portions formed by the score lines. On each side, two of the price indicia are inverted with respect to the other two. When this is done it is possible to fold the inner sheet in various manners to exhibit four different prices with both of the upstanding sides simultaneously showing the same price.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that a novel and improved sign or price tag has been provided which may be used in a great many different ways for different purposes. The signs are simply and inexpensively made and may be used for long periods of time without becoming soiled or wearing out. Furthermore, they are versatile in that the price or indicia may be readily changed as often as desired.

Other materials than paper may be used for the inner sheet I I if a more permanent or heavier sign is desired. For example, the inner sheet I a of the modified form may be mode of sheet metal permanently bent, and a relatively heavy name plate results. Similarly, a solid triangular piece of wood or plastic may be used instead of the inner sheet.

A Very interesting Visual effect is obtained by making the inner sheet II of any of the embodiments also of transparent material and then inscribing indicia thereon, for the letters or numerals appear to stand out unsupported in space when casually viewed.

Various other changes or modifications, such as will present themselves to those familiar with the art, may be made without departing from the spirit of this invention whose scope is oommensurate with lthe following claim.

What is claimed is:

In a collapsible Adisplay sign or similar article, a core element comprised of a single sheet of i'cldable material scored with longitudinal fold lines into equilateral panel sections so that it may be erected into an equilateral triangular prism, a sheath element ralso comprised of a single sheet but made of transparent resilient material with vequilateral panel sections adapted to embrace those of said core element when erected into said prism, the panel sections of said sheath clement being normally disposed in overlapping relatively flat condition so as to exert an embracing tension upon said core element prism when jackete-d thereover, and said core element being radially displaceable within said sheath element so that different panels thereof may be brought into registration with those of said sheath element.

References Cited in the ille of this patent lUNITED sTA'rEs PATENTS Number Name Date 1,308,471 Barker July l, 1919 1,577,493 Rand Mar. 23, 1926 1,625,154 Rand Apr. 19, 1927 1,781,070 Mitchell Nov. '11, 1930 2,013,377 Debs Sept. 3, 1935 2,159,472 Bjorkquist May 23, v1939 

